God's Love Prevails

The Christian Community Comes Alive
Giving Bold Testimony

Peter Takes a Risk

Romans 8:31-39  The Message

^31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

For Reflection 

I think that this all too familiar passage is misunderstood or, at least, misused or misrepresented.  Sometimes I think that some Christians use these passages as justification for warring against imagined threats to their relationship with God or Jesus Christ.  These passages do not, in my opinion, indicate that God is only on the side of Christians so that Christians can justify all manner of aggressive action.

I believe that these passages are intended to reinforce the unconditional love God has for us, thus, removing the threat that God will abandon us if (take your pick of sins) or one will burn in Hell if one is not "saved."  The passages express the "good news" of comfort, encouragement and hope that sustain us in times of despair when faced with threats.

Because of God's abiding love we are free to love our enemies, avoid acts of retribution, be compassionate and work in humility for justice, peace and forgiveness. God is on the side of all people, the sinner, the saint, and the unbeliever. God will not abandon anyone, not even in death!

That, in my opinion, is Good News!

Pray

that God will open your hearts to outsiders.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you open your eyes to see others as God sees them.  Pray that you will be a blessing to all you encounter.  Pray that you will practice the love of God as exemplified in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.